Fluid actuated sand hopper closures

ABSTRACT

A sand storage and deposition tank is disposed approximate to each wheel of the vehicle for depositing sand preferably ahead of its corresponding wheel to reduce skidding of the vehicle or provide improved traction for the vehicle. Each storage tank has a valve associated therewith which is mechanically operated. The mechanical linkage from each valve connects to a common actuating member which is hydraulically or pneumatically operated. This actuating member is preferably disposed beneath the vehicle and centrally located. The actuating member is operated upon application of the vehicle brakes.

United States Patent n 1] 3,9 Lee Oct. 28, 1975 4 [5 FLUID ACTUATED SAND HOPPER FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS CLOSURES 554,885 7/1932 Germany 291/23 [76] Inventor: Poy Lee, 52 Tennyson St., 89,852 7/1937 Sweden 291/15 Somerville, Mass. 02145 458,915 8/1949 Canada... 291/23 [22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1974 1,283,997 l/l962 France 291/24 [2]] Appl. No.: 494,308 Primary Examiner-M. Hens-on Wood, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Howard Beltran Related Apphcatmn Data Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 385,419, Aug. 3,

52 U.S. Cl. 291/3; 291 14; 291 15; ABSTRACT 291/38 A sand storage and deposition tank is disposed ap- [51] Int. Cl. ..B60B 39/06; B6OB 39/08; proximate t a h wheel of the vehicle for depositing 1361B 3611-! 11/00 sand preferably ahead of its corresponding wheel to 58 Field of Search 291/1, 3, 14, 15, 23, 25, skidding vehde provde tractlon for the vehicle. Each storage tank has a valve 291/28, 38, 36

associated therewith which Is mechanically operated. [561 CM 33522233352113; 222222521izlzsf sisaroi UNITED STATES PATENTS pneumatically operated. This actuating member is 485,703 11/1892 Leitc h 291/15 preferably disposed beneath the Vehicle and Centrally l g' il located. The actuating member is operated upon apo nson 2,616,744 1 H1952 Wolford et al.... 291/24 phcauon of the vehlcle brakes 3,774,945 11/1973 Lee et al 291/38 12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures DASH SWITCH MASTER CYLINDER /2 TO BRAKE CYLI DER BRAKE PEDAL /6 N S REAR ,5 FRONT WHEEL i-L WHEEL SAND K SAND VALVES 53 o 44 36 32 34 VALVES US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 REAR WHEEL SAND VALVES DASH SWITCH MASTER m CYLINDER :1

TO BRAKE CYLINDERS FRONT WHEEL SAND VALVES FIG. 2

FROM MASTER CYLINDER FIG. 3

i TO

FRONT REAR ur SAND l L SAND I I K I VALVES I 84 a2 8/ 86 a3 VALVES FLUID ACTUATED SAND HOPPER CLOSURES RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 385,419 filed Aug. 3, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ciated with each storage tank. Hydraulic lines,-therefore, extend fromthe existing vehicle hydraulic brake lines to each of the sand deposition tanks. Although this system functions quite adequately, there are certain drawbacks associated therewith. Because the hydraulic lines extend to each sand tank, the system may not be readily adaptable to existing vehicles as the master cylinder may not be presently designed to house a sufficient volume of fluid. Also, the system described in my previous application is relatively expensive to fabricate because of the existance of a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement associated with each sand tank.

Accordingly,'it is an object'of the present invention to provide an improved system for depositin'gsand adjacent to the wheels of a vehicle, and one that is par tially mechanically operated and partially hydraulically or pneumatically operated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sand deposition system that can be constructed more inexpensively than previous systems A further object of the present invention is to provide a sand deposition system that incorporates a common actuating member that is preferably of the dual action I type. V H

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention, there is provided a system for use with a motor vehicle having wheels and abrake pedal. The

system is for depositing sand or the like material on the road way adjacent at least the rear wheels of the vehicle. This system comprises a storage tank positioned adjacent at least the rear wheels and having an outlet through which sand may be deposited. Each of the storage tanks has a valve means associated therewith which is mechanically operated and includes a mechanism for actuating the valve means to open or close the valve means. This mechanical arrangement includes a linkage cable which extends from each tank to a common actuating member which has an output means for operating the valve means. This common actuating member is preferably a hydraulically or pneumatically operated piston and cylinder arrangement which has a connec- DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Numerous other objects. features and advantages of the invention will now become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. I shows somewhat schematically one system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a sand deposition tank; FIG. 3 shows another somewhat schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the fluid and mechanical actuating system of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 of the present application shows, in part, components of a conventional automobile and in part the components added in accordance with the improvements of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a brake pedal 10 that is coupled by way of a linkage 12 to a master cylinder 14. The master cylinder shown in FIG. 1 is a single action master cylinder for the purposeof illustrating the present'invention. However, this could also be a dual master cylinder. The master cylinder has output hydraulic fluid lines 16 and I8 coupled therefrom. The line 16 couples to valve 20 whereas the line 18 connects to the brake wheel cylinders for causing operation of the brakes of the vehicle.

The valve 20, shown in FIG. 1, may be of identical construction to the one shown in my previous application Ser. No.'385,4l9 and is operable to'either permit or prevent sand deposition in response to brake actuation. The valve 20 includes a coil 22 which may be actuated from battery 24 when the switch '26 is closed. Upon closure of the switch"26, the valve 20 is in its open position permitting hydraulic fluid to flow from line 16 to line 28 and from there to the actuating memand 38' for normally biasing the pistons toward each otherwhen hydraulic pressure is released.

Each of the pistons 32 and 34 have associated therewith push rods 40 and 42 having pulleys 44 and 46 connected respectively to the ends thereof. The pulley 46 is for actuating the rear valves and the pulley 44 is for actuating the front valves. A set of suitably supported pulleys 50 and 51 are associated with pulley 46 and similarly a second set of suitably supported pulleys 52 and 53 are associated with pulley 44. A cable 56 extends between the pulleys 46, 50 and 51 as shown in FIG. 1 and connects, as shown in FIG. 2, to the sand deposition tank shown in FIG. 2. For actuation of the front sand valves there is provided a cable 57 coupling between the pulleys 44, 52 and. 53 which would couple at its opposite ends to sand deposition tanks similar to the one shown in FIG. 2.

tion coupling to the existing hydraulic or air lines of the vehicle or to the master cylinder of the vehicle whereby upon actuation of the vehicle brake pedal the actuating member is operable to open the valve means for the purpose of depositing sand on the road way.

FIG. 2 shows the storage tank 60 which includes a mechanical mechanism 62. The tank, shown in FIG. 2, is substantially identical to the one shown in my previous application Ser. No. 385,419 and comprises a closure member 64, slide bar 66, inlet port 68, and outlet port 70. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the tank is being filled by way of inlet port 68 with the closure member 64 closed against the outlet 70.

When the brake pedal is depressed, the actuating member shown in FIG. 1, has its push rod 42 extended so as to pull the cable 56 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2. This causes the arm 72 to pivot about fixed pivot 74 against the bias of spring 76 to cause the arm 78 to raise thereby opening the outlet 70 and at the same time, moving the slide bar 66 to block the inlet 68.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment for the system including two input hydraulic lines 79 and 80, each of which connect from the master cylinder. The arrangement of the brake pedal can be the same in this embodiment as is shown in FIG. 1. The lines 79 and 80 couple to opposite ends of the cylindrical housing 81. A pair of pistons 82 and 83 are disposed in the housing 81 and have coupled therefrom push rods 84 and 85, respectively. A return spring 86 is disposed between the pistons 82 and 83 and functions as a return spring normally biasing the pistons away from each other. In this embodiment individual cables can be connected to the outer ends of each of the push rods 84 and 85. These cables connect to the tank and mechanism shown in FIG. 2.

When the brakes are applied the hydraulic pressure causes the pistons 82 and 83 to be urged toward each other against the bias of spring 86. When this happens the cables are pulled in a similar manner to the way they are pulled in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 causing actuation of the valves in the storage tanks. When the brake pedal is actuated, of course these valves 64 are open. When the brake is released the return spring causes a closure of the valves 64.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for use with a motor vehicle having wheels and a brake pedal, said system for depositing sand or the like on a road way adjacent at least one wheel, said system comprising:

a storage tank positioned adjacent at least each of two wheels and having an inlet through which sand passes to at least partially fill the tank and an outlet through which sand may be deposited,

a valve means associated with each tank and including a closure member and mechanical lever means coupled to the closure member for actuating the valve means to open or close the closure member,

a linkage cable extending from one end of the mechanical lever means, the other end of the mechanical lever means coupling to the closure member,

a common actuating member including means defining a housing, a pair of pistons each having push rods extending therefrom and means for biasing the pistons toward each other,

means supporting the other end of the linkage cable adjacent the actuating member in position to be contacted by the push rod,

and means including fluid conduit means responsive to actuation of the brake pedal of the vehicle for forcing said pistons apart whereby said push rods contact the cable to pull the cable in a direction away from the storage tank to pivot the lever means and open the closure member.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said fluid conduit means couples between the actuating member and existing vehicle fluid brake line or master cylinder.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said fluid conduit connects to the middle area of the housing forcing the pistons apart when the brake pedal is depressed.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes two pulleys spaced apart with a third pulley fastened to the end of the push rod and between the two pulleys.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means supporting the other end of the linkage cable includes a pair of pulleys having a continuous cable extending therebetween and connecting at its ends to separate lever means associated with adjacent tanks.

6. A system as set forth in claim 5 including a second pair of pulleys disposed adjacent the opposite end of the housing for supporting the cable.

7. A system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said push rod has an end contacting the cable intermediate the pair of pulleys. I

8. A system as set forth in claim 7 including a third pulley secured to the end of the push rod.

9. A system for use with a motor vehicle having wheels and a brake pedal, said system for depositing sand or the like on a road way adjacent at least one wheel, said system comprising:

a storage tank positioned adjacent at least each of two wheels and having an inlet through which sand passes to at least partially till the tank and an outlet through which sand may be deposited,

a valve means associated with each tank and including a closure member and mechanical lever means coupled to the closure member for actuating the valve means to open or close the closure member,

a common actuating member including means defining a housing, a pair of pistons each having push rods extending therefrom and means for biasing the pistons away from each other,

at least two linkage cables each extending from one end of the lever means, the other end of the lever means coupling to the closure member,

means connecting one cable to one of the push rods and the other cable to the other of the push rods,

and means including fluid conduit means responsive to actuation of the brake pedal for forcing said pistons toward each other whereby said cables are both pulled in the direction of the actuating member to pivot the lever means and open the closure member.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein one of said push rods is for actuating front sand valves andthe other push rod is for actuating rear sand valves.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said fluid conduit includes two sections connecting to the ends of the housing forcing the pistons together when the brake pedal is depressed.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said biasing means includes a return spring disposed intermediate the pistons. 

1. A system for use with a motor vehicle having wheels and a brake pedal, said system for depositing sand or the like on a road way adjacent at least one wheel, said system comprising: a storage tank positioned adjacent at least each of two wheels and having an inlet through which sand passes to at least partially fill the tank and an outlet through which sand may be deposited, a valve means associated with each tank and including a closure member and mechanical lever means coupled to the closure member for actuating the valve means to open or close the closure member, a linkage cable extending from one end of the mechanical lever means, the other end of the mechanical lever means coupling to the closure member, a common actuating member including means defining a housing, a pair of pistons each having push rods extending therefrom and means for biasing the pistons toward each other, means supporting the other end of the linkage cable adjacent the actuating member in position to be contacted by the push rod, and means including fluid conduit means responsive to actuation of the brake pedal of the vehicle for forcing said pistons apart whereby said push rods contact the cable to pull the cable in a direction away from the storage tank to pivot the lever means and open the closure member.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said fluid conduit means couples between the actuating member and existing vehicle fluid brake line or master cylinder.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said fluid conduit connects to the middle area of the housing forcing the pistons apart when the brake pedal is depressed.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes two pulleys spaced apart with a third pulley fastened to the end of the push rod and between the two pulleys.
 5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means supporting the other end of the linkage cable includes a pair of pulleys having a continuous cable extending therebetween and connecting at its ends to separate lever means associated with adjacent tanks.
 6. A system as set forth in claim 5 including a second pair of pulleys disposed adjacent the opposite end of the housing for supporting the cable.
 7. A system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said push rod has an end contacting the cable intermediate the pair of pulleys.
 8. A system as set forth in claim 7 including a third pulley secured to the end of the push rod.
 9. A system for use with a motor vehicle having wheels and a brake pedal, said system for depositing sand or the like on a road way adjacent at least one wheel, said system comprising; a storage tank positioned adjacent at least each of two wheels and having an inlet through which sand passes to at least partially fill the tank and an outlet through which sand may be deposited, a valve means associated with each tank and including a closure member and mechanical lever means coupled to the closure member for actuating the valve means to open or close the closure member, a common actuating member including means defining a housing, a pair of pistons each having push rods extending therefrom and means for biasing the pistons away from each other, at least two linkage cables each extending from one end of the lever means, the other end of the lever means coupling to the closure member, means connecting one cable to one of the push rods and the other cable to the other of the push rods, and means including fluid conduit means responsive to actuation of the brake pedal for forcing said pistons toward each other whereby said cables are both pulled in the direction of the actuating member to pivot the lever means and open the closure member.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein one of said push rods is for actuating front sand valves and the other push rod is for actuating rear sand valves.
 11. The system of claim 9 wherein said fluid conduit includes two sections connecting to the ends of the housing forcing the pistons together when the brake pedal is depressed.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said biasing means includes a return spring disposed intermediate the pistons. 